Oysterponds window project passes in a landslide

The majority of Oysterponds School District voters approved a window project for the elementary school Tuesday night.

Ninety-two people voted in favor of the proposal and five people cast dissenting votes, school officials confirmed after the vote.

School board president Dorothy-Dean Thomas said the district is “thrilled and very grateful” for the community’s support.

“This is the last phase of a much needed repair project to our school and community shelter,” she said. “To be able to complete this project without a bond or additional tax money is a huge accomplishment and reflective of the hard work of our talented administration and Board of Education.”

Superintendent Richard Malone also said he’s thankful for the community’s approval of the referendum because he believes it will enable the district to maintain a “safe learning environment and a secure community shelter.”

The project, which is the third phase of the district’s window replacement plan, is expected to cost up to an estimated $600,000 — half of which will come from the district’s capital reserve fund voters approved in May 2014.

Phase 3 includes replacing windows on the northern and western sides of the school, which includes the art room, intermediate two classroom, library, speech room, publishing center, faculty room and music room.

Two years ago, during Phase 1, windows in the front of the building were replaced. In the second phase, begun at the start of the 2015-16 school year, windows on the western side of the building were updated, Mr. Malone said.